Arguably the greatest and most profound of all sacred choral works, the Mass in B minor is also a compendium of Bach’s amazing compositional skills encompassing a wide range of musical styles from the severe stile antico employed in some of the choral fugues to the exquisitely graceful “modern”, quasi operatic style of some of the arias and duets. The Mass includes some of the most glorious and dazzlingly complex choral music ever written and is a profound expression, in musical terms, of Bach’s own religious belief. It is one of those masterworks which repay endless hearing, and this lecture is offered as an introduction to the Mass prior to our performance on Friday 28th March. The lecture will include sung musical examples.

Tickets: £10